Muted wares temper the emperor's lavish image

Updated: Mar 12, 2026 By Lin Qi China Daily Print

Share - WeChat

Convergence of Elegance, an exhibition running through May 5 at Nanshan Museum in Shenzhen, Guangdong province, gathers more than 100 ceramic works that have traveled from the National Museum of China to the southern coastal city. Together, they trace the evolution and technical diversity of Chinese porcelain. [Photo provided to China Daily]

Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), who ruled for much of the 18th century, is often playfully criticized for the lavish imperial ceramics commissioned during his reign. Many of these pieces combined multiple decorative motifs and technical styles, resulting in objects so intricate that they overwhelm the eye. Yet, this popular image of excess tells only part of the story.

When Qianlong ascended the throne, he inherited a prosperous empire. Its wealth enabled him to become one of China's most active cultural patrons, producing porcelain of exquisite imperial taste.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 >

Features

Festivals & Cutoms Lishan Torch Festival concludes in Chongqing, draws over 100,000 visitors

Festivals & Cutoms Zhengding Folk Art Performance draws 30 troupes for Lantern Festival

Muted wares temper the emperor's lavish image

Related stories

Features

LEAVE YOUR MESSAGE

*Your E-mail Address